Shirt bosom board assembly and method of manufacture



M. P. NOLAN April 30, 1963 SHIRT BOSOM BOARD ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Filed July 2, a 1958 FIG. 2

FIG.1

FIGS

MOREY FIG. 3

BY zwggm ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,687,659 SHIRT BOSOM BOARD ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Morey P. Nolan, 7 45 Trabert Ave. NW., Atlanta, Ga. Filed July 2, 1958, Ser. No. 746,231 4 Claims. (Cl. 223-41) This invention relates to a shirt bosom board assembly and method of manufacture, and is particularly concerned with shirt bosom boards used in the packaging and displaying of folded shirts in which the ensemble includes a bosom board and a collar strip extending transversely of the board. While the primary inventive concept of the present invention is not limited with respect to the type of shirt to which the bosom board may be applied, a feature of the invention provides for the application of the board and its collar strip to shirts formed with a button and button hole connection at the back of the collar, such shirts being presently popular under the designation of Ivy League shirts.

It is common practice in the packaging of shirts for merchandising and display to insert a relatively stiff cardboard bosom board between the upper back and overfolded lower back of the shirt and to insert a separate collar strip about the neck band under the overfolded collar. Since the bosom board remains flat while the collar strip must assume the curvature of the collar and collar band, the board and strip must be separately inserted and are therefore conventionally formed of separate pieces. However, in order to maintain the folded shirt in wrinkle-free, attractive, folded condition, it is necessary to retain the bosom and the neck strip in rigid predetermined assembled relation. In spite of various intricate connections, usually of the tongue and slit variety, that have been suggested for retaining the board and strip in assembled relation, it has been found that pins are required to retain these members in their proper relative position and in the desired position with respect to the garment. Such pins usually pass through the fabric to engage the bosom board adjacent the neck strip. Thus the material is anchored to the bosom board and such anchorage will act through the fabric to retain the collar, and hence the collar strip, from displacement with respect to the bosom board. Obviously, such pining of the folded shirt to either the bosom board or the collar strip or the pinning together of the shirt material itself adjacent to the neck portion is a time-consuming and costly operation, and the piercing of the garment by such retaining pins is objectionable in that it disfigures, mutilates and weakens the material. The use of extraneous securing elements between board and strip, such as clasps, pins or staples, has not been successful because of the cost and difliculty of applying such means after assembly. Should such securement between board and strip be effected before insertion, serious problems are encountered in attempting to interfold such preassembled devices. Furthermore, such clasps, pins or staples unite the board and strip at only a single point, or at best at closely adjacent individual points. Experience has shown that a stable and permanent rigid retention of the board and strip requires interengagement at both ends of the collar tab and preferably throughout the entire tab surface.

By the present invention, the necessity of pins for the retention of the bosom board and/ or the collar strip has been avoided by the use of means for rigidly uniting the ends of overlapping areas between board and strip as distinct from such devices as provide single point loose interengagement permitting relative motion. In the present preferred form of the invention the entire overlapping areas are coated with pressure sensitive adhesive of the type which will unit when contacted and pressed 3,087,659 Patented Apr. 30, 1963 against like adhesive. Such adhesive is characterized by the fact that adhesive on one surface will not engage and secure another surface in contact therewith, even under pressure, when such other surface does not bear a similar pressure sensitive adhesive. The critical points of attachment are at the two transverse ends of the tab, if securement of such spaced ends is rigid and permanent relative angular displacement is precluded. While adhesive intermediate such ends is of minor consequence, the total area securement, herein illustrated, insures such critical end fastening of the tab. By the use of bosom boards and collar strips having coextensive areas of adhesive, the board and strips may be individually inserted and arranged for overlapping relation of such areas, whereupon manual pressure will effect immovable retention between the parts by the rigid uniting of the entire overlapping areas and particularly the tab ends. Thus the engagement of the strip with the collar will retain the bosom board in position, and vice versa, so as to avoid the necessity of the use of pins, either in the fabric or into either bosom board or collar strip. This arrangement also avoids the necessity of structural interlocking formations between the strip and board and manipulations to effect inter-locking relations or the application of extraneous fastening means between the bosom board and neck strip. Such interlocking and/ or extraneous fastening will at best provide only limited areas of attachment and will not provide the end securement of relatively long tabs extending onehalf or one-third of the distance across the board.

The present inventive concept includes novel means and methods for the economic manufacture of the board and strip and for the appropriate application of the adhesive thereto. In particular, the invention includes the application of the adhesive to specific areas of one face of a blank from which the multiple bosom boards and collar strips may be die cut, and provides for the proper allocation of adhesive on the severed board or strip. The invention also embraces the method steps by which the board and strip are inserted and united by manual pressure after appropriate positioning.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel and improved bosom board and collar strip assembly by which a folded shirt may be retained in attractive display or merchandising position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide novel and improved means for retaining a bosom board and associate collar strip in predetermined relation without recourse to extraneous fastening means or interlocking elements and configurations.

It is also an object of the invention to provide for the rigid interconnection of the collar tab of a bosom board and the central portion of a collar strip at the transverse ends of the tab, the tab being preferably of substantial transverse extension with respect to the transverse direction of the board to insure widely spaced secured points to resist any tendency toward relative angular movement.

A further object of the present invention is to provide for the retention of the associated bosom board and collar strip within a folded shirt without the use of pins and equivalent penetrating members either between portions of the fabric, between the fabric and the board, or between the board and strip.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved method for the die cutting of bosom boards and collar strips, and particularly for the formation of such boards and strips with cooperating areas of pressure sensitive adhesive.

The objects of the invention additionally include that of providing a novel method of inserting, arranging and securing collar strip and bosom board assemblies within folded shirts.

Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank indicating the method of die cutting a plurality of bosom boards of the present invention by a single operation.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank illustrating the manner of cutting a plurality of collar strips therefrom in a single operation.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the bosom board and collar strip assembly, dotted lines showing the position thereof within a folded shirt.

FIG. 4 is a vertical fragmentary central cross section of the secured board and strip assembly taken on line 44 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevation illustrating the manner in which the bosom board and collar strip may engage around a rear button collar of the Ivy League type.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a generally rectangular flat blank of card or fibre board, or some equivalent material from which the individual bosom boards are to be formed. As here shown, four or more such boards B may be die cut at a single operation from one such rectangular blank. While the invention is not limited nor confined to any specific configuration of the bosom board, a conventional substantially rectangular design is here represented as including a bias or waist section '11 approximately the width of the folded garment. Extending from the waist section 11 there is an intermediate reduced portion 12 joining the waist portion 11 with an upper or shoulder portion 13 extending outwardly from the intermediate portion 12 and of width equal to the waist portion. The upper or neck end of the shoulder portion 13 is formed by inwardly and upwardly converging shoulder edges 14 joined by outwardly inclined edges 15 of a collar tab 16. In order to insure a permanent rigid transverse relation between strip and board, the collar tab 16 is of substantial length, here shown as approximately one-half the board width. Preferably the tab length will not be less than one-third the board width and/ or approximately one-third the strip length. Extending inwardly from the center of the outer edge of the collar tab 16 a V-shaped indentation 17 is provided. As frequently found in bosom boards of this type, the waist section is similarly indented as at 18.

In the formation of a plurality of such boards by a single die cutting operation, the die is arranged to form the contiguous edges 19 and 20 of the adjoining boards by a single cutting operation. Similarly, the contiguous terminal edges of the tabs 16 may be formed by a single cutting operation along meeting edges 21. By forming the die in such manner as to simultaneously cut a plurality of end to end related boards, the number of pairs formed in one cut is limited only by the dimension of the blank transverse of the boards. A substantial saving is thus achieved both in material and in the cutting operation.

As hereinbefore indicated, the bosom boards and neck strips of the assembly are to be united by pressure sensitive adhesive. In order to automatically provide for the disposition of the adhesive on the entire area of the neck tabs of the bosom boards, prior to the die cutting of a plurality of such boards from a single blank, there is applied a transverse strip 22 of pressure sensitive adhesive across the center of the blank 10. This strip 22 is of a width substantially equal to the width of the collar tab 16 of each bosom board. Since in the die cutting of multiples of such boards the neck tab of one is formed adjacent the neck tab of the other by a single cut, such width of adhesive will provide for the full coverage of the entire neck tab of two longitudinally adjacent boards cut from a single blank. By so applying the adhesive to the blank 10 before the die cutting, accurate and full coverage of one face of the collar tab of each board may be achieved with a minimum of effort and without requiring a subsequent operation for the application of such adhesive. In particular, such coverage of adhesive insures rigid retention of the tab ends with the strip to insure widely separated secured areas precluding any pivotal type of angular displacement.

By reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings, it will be noted that a plurality of collar strips may also be formed from a single blank 30 by a single stamping operation. The collar strips may be of such varying length as requircd for use in small, medium or large shirts, indicated by letters S, M and L in FIG. 2. Each neck strip S comprises a central portion 31 substantially coextensive with the area of the collar tab 16 of the individual boards. From the portion 31, the strip extends to provide outwardly extending collar arms 32 formed integral with portion 31. The terminal ends 33 of the strips are preferably cut at an angle. The central portion 31 of each band is formed with a V-shaped recess 34 which in assembly cooperates with recess 17 of the collar tab of the body as hereinafter described.

Since the invention contemplates that the entire central area 31 of each collar strip is to be provided with pressure sensitive adhesive so as to provide for complete adhesion between entire areas of the tab 16 and the central portion 31 of each collar strip, the present invention contemplates the application of such adhesive in a straight longitudinal strip 35 extending centrally of the blank 30. The width of such strip 35, preferably not less than one third the board width, is at least equal to the width of the collar tabs 16 to insure coextensive areas of adhesive. Thus, as in the case of the cutting of the boards from the blank 10, the single die operation on the blank 30 will result in the formation of a plurality of collar strips S with the adhesive applied thereto .in the central portion thereof, the length of such adhesive on the strip being at least equal to the length of the tab to insure complete adhesion of the entire tab length, and particularly rigid engagement at the ends of the bosom board tabs. It will be noted that where varying lengths of collar strips are to be cut from a single blank, the center of each strip, regardless of length, is located at the longitudinal center of the blank. Thus in the die cutting of multiple strips of varying length, the single straight strip of adhesive extending longitudinally along the blank will provide for the proper location of the adhesive at the center of the finished collar strip.

In the assembly of the board with strips S, it will be understood that the strip is to extend transversely of the board in overlapping relation at its center 32 with the collar tab 16. This arrangement is such that the strip may be inserted under the turned down collar while the board is lodged between the back of the upper portion of the shirt and the overfolded back of the lower portion of the shirt. As illustrated in FIG. 3, it will be seen that the V-shaped cut extending inwardly from the collar tab 16 of the board registers with the relatively inverted V recess 34 of the strip. The central portion 31 of the collar strip is of width equal to that of the collar tab 16, and the V-shaped indentation at the center of each is of less depth than the width of either strip or tab. The indentations thus match in oppositely diverging relationship to form therebetween an aperture 36 for the reception of the threads which retain the rear button of the Ivy League style of shirts.

It is desirable that these form retaining board assemblies be applied after the shirt is folded, since the collar strip must be inserted upwardly under the fold of the collar, while the bosom board must be inserted downwardly from the collar. Hence, should the bosom board and collar strip be united prior to their insertion, considerable difficulty and disarray of the pre-folded shirt would be involved in inserting a preassambled board and strip. When the bosom board is individually inserted and the tabs thereof placed under the collar fold and the individual collar strip inserted regardless of the order of insertion, difiiculty was encountered in the prior art in providing some means for fixedly uniting the collar strip with the collar tab of the board. Such difiiculty is avoided in the present invention by the provision of the coextensive areas of the adhesive 22 on the entire tabs 16 and the adhesive 31 of the collar strip. Thu-s retention of the spaced ends of the board tab is insured. It will be seen that in the present invention, the collar tab 16 is placed in registration with the central portion 31 of the collar strip, and thereafter a slight manual pressure at the union of the tab and central portion of the strip will cause the adhesive 22 to engage the adhesive 31 to form a permanent bond therewith over the entire area of the tab 16 and particularly at the opposite ends thereof to fixedly engage board and strip in the desired right angular relationship.

While the invent-ion is not limited or confined to the specific form of tab 16, the matching notches herein disclosed may receive the threads securing a rear button of the Ivy League type shirt. The open V out 17 of the board of the present invention facilitates the upward insertion of the collar tab 16 about such threads. Similarly, the V-cut 34 of the strip may accommodate such threads without hindering the simple application of such strip under the collar. As hereinbefore mentioned, when united these strips combine to form an aperture 40 which surrounds the button securing threads and materially assists in the maintenance of the proper location of the board and strip in the folded shirt.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by the rigid uniting of the strip with the board through simple manual pressure the unit is not only inseparable but is maintained in its predetermined relation by securement by the folds of the collar which augment and cooperate with the securement of the board by the folds of the shirt. Since the end areas of tab 16 are rigid with the strip, displacement of the angular relation therebetween is precluded. Such cooperation of securement in combination with the rigid uniting of the two elements in their inserted position insures maintenance of location without any requirement for the individual pinning or otherwise attaching either the board or the strip, nor is it required that the material of the shirt be temporarily united by pins or the like to engage either the board or the strip.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a novel and improved shirt board and collar strip combination which may retain and be retained by a folded shirt so as to preclude wrinkling or mussing of the shirt during display or sale. It will further be seen that the invention provides a novel and improved method of manufacturing both the boards and the strips as elements having adhesive areas thereon formed in an economical manner before the cutting of such boards or strips from blank material. It will also be noted that by the formation of the strip and body with complementary notches as here shown, the assembly is particularly adapted for the application to the Ivy League type of shirts and that the enclosure of the notches by inverted juxtaposition thereof will provide an aperture for the button threads of such a shirt which enhances the securement of the assembly.

It will of course be understood that the particular configuration of the board and strip as here shown is merely by way of illustration and that in the practice of the invention such other configurations as requirements may dictate may be utilized. Furthermore, the invention is not limited or confined to the exact details herein set forth, and numerous changes, modifications and equivalents may be exercised in the practice of the invention without departure from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A bosom board and collar strip assembly including a flat bosom board, an elongate collar strip transversely arranged with respect to said bosom board, and pressure sensitive adhesive uniting said board and strip to retain said board and strip in prearranged relation, there being provided an aligned buttonhole through both said bosom board and strip.

2. IA bosom board and collar strip assembly including a flat cardboard bosom board of generally rectangular outline having inwardly and upwardly converging shoulder edges, a collar tab on said board extending outwardly from said shoulder edges, an elongate collar strip transversely arranged with respect to said collar tab, and pressure sensitive adhesive uniting the ends of said collar tab with said strip to retain said board and strip in prearranged relation, there being provided an aligned buttonhole through said collar tab and said strip.

3. A bosom board and collar strip assembly including a flat cardboard bosom board of generally rectangular outline, a collar tab on said board extending from one end edge thereof, an elongate collar strip transversely ar ranged with respect to said collar tab, and pressure sensitive adhesive uniting the entire length of said collar tab with said strip to retain said board and strip in prearranged relation, said tab defining an edge notch adapted to receive the securing threads of a rear button of a shirt collar.

4. A bosom board and collar strip assembly including a flat cardboard bosom board of generally rectangular outline, a collar tab on said board extending from one end edge thereof, an elongate collar strip transversely arranged with respect to said collar tab, and pressure sensitive adhesive uniting the entire length of said collar tab with said strip to retain said board and strip in prearranged relation, said tab and strip each defining edge notches cooperating to form an aperture for the reception of the securing threads of a rear button of a collar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,506,332 Bloom Aug. 26, 1924 1,907,280 Goldberg May 2, 1933 2,164,088 Shepherd June 27, 1939 2,197,173 Bacon Apr. 16, 1940 2,226,443 Schulman Dec. 24, 1940 2,424,680 Doyle July 29, 1947 2,595,112 Story Apr. 29, 1952 2,598,172 Humphlett May 27, 1952 2,615,601 Kahn Oct. 28, 1952 2,617,104 Barager Nov. 11, 1952 2,755,983 Ringler July 24, 1956 2,763,867 Chagnon Sept. 25, 1956 2,795,365 Currie June 11, 1957 2,935,416 Dunbar et al May 3, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 204,240 Australia Nov. 15, 1956 

1. A BOSOM BOARD AND COLLAR STRIP ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A FLAT BOSOM BOARD, AN ELONGATE COLLAR STRIP TRANSVERSELY ARRANGED WITH RESPECT TO SAID BOSOM BOARD, AND PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE UNITING SAID BOARD AND STRIP TO RETAIN SAID BOARD AND STRIP IN PREARRANGED RELATION, THERE BEING PROVIDED AN ALIGNED BUTTONHOLE THROUGH BOTH SAID BOSOM BOARD AND STRIP. 